What A Pain!

Migraine headaches can be utterly debilitating. There are so many sources of migraines that most people just skip straight to the treatment without considering the cause. One common but usually overlooked cause of migraines is the constant tension of a misaligned jaw known as Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).

Chronic and increasing strain on the large nerve clusters surrounding the jaw can cause a multitude of problems including headaches and migraines. This constant compression can make the nerves become painfully inflamed. This inflammation can manifest as migraine headaches.

TMD can be easily diagnosed and treated by your dentist using x-rays, jaw and muscle measurements and recording sound or electrically activity in your jaw muscles. After a diagnosis is made, there are multiple treatment options based on your individual needs. One of the most common treatments is use of an oral appliance designed to take the pressure off of the jaw called a Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition tension suppression system (NTI-tss) designed to take the pressure off of the jaw. Another option is Occlusal Equilbration which involves modifying the chewing surfaces by grinding.

TMD can also be the cause of chronic earaches, uneven wear on your teeth, neck pain and tinnitus.
So, if you’ve tried everything for your migraine headaches, come see us. We can check for TMD or other jaw misalignment issues that could be causing you more than proverbial pain.